Share This Story!

Five breakout NFL players for 2013

Robert Griffin III, Doug Martin and Russell Wilson were a few of the young stars who often dominated NFL headlines in 2012 while greatly exceeding expectations. Some other players, however, didn't quite have

Robert Griffin III, Doug Martin and Russell Wilson were a few of the young stars who often dominated NFL headlines in 2012 while greatly exceeding expectations. Some other players, however, didn't quite have the right situation to blossom but are set up to be among the breakout players of 2013. Here are five to keep in mind:

With all the RGIII, Andrew Luck and Wilson hoopla this season, it was easy to forget the eighth overall pick in the draft. Tannehill, if you remember, was switched to wide receiver for the first two-plus seasons of his college career. His senior year was his only full season as a quarterback. Despite the limited experience, he did fairly well in his rookie season with the Dolphins, throwing for 3,294 yards and 12touchdowns with 13 interceptions. And he threw only one pick in his last five games. It's hard to think of a player who would have more of an opportunity to improve during the offseason than Tannehill. He has respected offensive minds in coach Joe Philbin and Mike Sherman showing him the way and, better yet, the Dolphins are poised to make huge personnel upgrades.

With more than $40 million in cap space (hello, Greg Jennings?) and five picks in the top 100 of April's draft, Tannehill surely will have better weapons to throw to in 2013 than the trio of Brian Hartline, Davone Bess and tight end Anthony Fasano.

The 2012 first-round pick had a rough start, losing a key fumble in a season-opening loss to the Dallas Cowboys. To say it took a while to earn the coaches' trust that he could protect the football and pick up blitzes is an understatement. Wilson didn't get 10 offensive touches in a game until Week 14. But when injuries and age caught up to veteran Ahmad Bradshaw, Wilson made the most of his chance. He ran for 247 yards and three touchdowns and averaged 5.7 yards a carry in the last four games.

Wilson might never be a consistent 20-plus-touches back, in part because of his duties as a kick returner, where he excels. But with Bradshaw recently becoming an ex-Giant, general manager Jerry Reese has said he can envision Wilson being the lead dog in 2013.

Hillman, the league's youngest player in 2012 (he turned 21 in November), was in a situation similar to Wilson's. After a nagging hamstring injury in training camp cost Hillman a chance to earn a significant role, he was used sporadically. Coaches also had concerns about the sub-200-pounder's ability to hold up in pass protection. When Hillman got chances, however, he often flashed the explosiveness that had made the Broncos scramble up the draft board last April to snatch him in the third round.

Adding weight plus a full offseason working with Peyton Manning might result in Hillman running Willis McGahee or Knowshon Moreno out of town.

As with many rookie wide receivers, Jeffery had a roller-coaster season as he adjusted to the NFL game. He also was limited to 10 games because of hand and knee injuries. When healthy, though, the 6-3, 220-pounder was a load for opposing cornerbacks to handle.

Jeffery has the luxury of playing opposite Pro Bowl wide receiver Brandon Marshall, who says Jeffery is a future Pro Bowler and plans

to work out with the youngster in the offseason. While the biggest boost to Jeffery and the Bears passing game would be improved protection for quarterback Jay Cutler, it's hard not to think that new coach Marc Trestman won't help the Bears improve significantly in the air.

The imposing 6-5, 322-pounder did an effective job consuming blockers and collapsing the pocket as a rookie. An ankle injury at the end of the preseason kept Brockers sidelined for the first three games, and he didn't get rolling until Week7. But he finished with four sacks and was in on 31 tackles — respectable numbers for an interior player. Brockers, 22, has an extremely high ceiling and great complementary linemates with top pass rushers Chris Long and Robert Quinn. Brockers might become the anchor of a defensive line that could be one of the league's best for years.